As part of a strategy to open up Māori land in the King Country for sale, Premier Richard Seddon arranged the appointment of King Mahuta to Parliament's Legislative Council in 1903. This photograph shows Mahuta, standing at right, with (from left) Western Māori MP Hēnare Kaihau, Seddon and Native Affairs Minister James Carroll. Mahuta's lack of English made it difficult for him to contribute to legislation and he grew disillusioned about the sincerity of the government's stated intention to improve conditions for Māori.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Anne Donne Collection (PAColl-3329)
Reference: 1/2-062408-F
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.